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This is the first time, in quite a while, I’ve had the opportunity to really sit still and quiet my thoughts. Christmas Eve has turned to a cold, rainy night, and I’ve got a few moments to post before “Santa” has to assemble all sorts of smile inducing offerings. Perhaps they’ll be life changing gifts, like the Montgomery Ward weight set I received at 4-years-old, or perhaps my spawn will play with them for a day and they’ll never be touched again. Either way, I’m honored to have the ability to bring them joy.

In this moment of silence, my thoughts have started to wander to the ladies and gentlemen who won’t have the opportunity to read instructions, lay out cookies and milk, and see the looks of elation that many of us will. From the numbers I can find, there are roughly 300,000 US Soldiers deployed worldwide (maybe someone has a more accurate number). I’ve coached, trained with, and am friends with many military personnel, and I know that many of them joined the armed forces to give their families a better life. As a parent I appreciate this desire. I, however, will never know the feeling of being a world away from your loved ones, on our most sacred and cherished holiday.

My most simple, and heartfelt desire, is to simply thank all of you. You who have given up your holiday to ensure that we may be free to enjoy ours. You who have dug 10 foot trenches, in desert sand, so you can set up pull-up bars. You who use ancient, spinless barbells, and 40-year-old Russian plates. You who will, where good Internet abides, get to experience the holiday only through Skype or photos.

I appreciate, respect and love everyone of you all who serve my country. I can’t begin to thank and express gratitude for each of you. I am permanently indebted to each of you. If there is ever anything I can do, please find or ask me.
Rudy, your shit is pretty good also.

And I thank you Rudy, for doing your part. You have kept a lot of us strong, mentally and physically. There have been several moments when all fuck has gone wrong and I think back to when you showed up at Camp Pendleton on a spur with Dan and fucking brightened my year. Thank you and merry Christmas from all of us at Wounded Warrior!
P.I.C.M.D.E.E.P.

So thankful I can spend time with my family while others are protecting our right to do so!

Woke up, rolled out of bed, feet already sweating at the thought of 150 burpees (5K in 3 inches of snow wouldn’t be smart), thought I’d stretch a little but instead I had a cup of coffee and told my dad to start the stop watch… next to the red hot fireplace.

12:50
What a difference a year of Crossfit makes. Did 73 for the open workout and this wod I was at 90 at the 7 minute mark. Had to lay down for the open after 73, feel better now after 150 then for 73.

For once had to skip the conditioning as much as I didn’t want to – I need the burpee work, but I was all kinds of dizzy & lightheaded. Been battling some sickness for the past 3 days & today’s workout was just the worst. Depending on tomorrows wod – will try to make it up tomorrow night.

Thank you for the support, Rudy! Merry Christmas! Let’s just say I “happily” did these burpees here in Bagram, Afghanistan. There’s a PR somewhere in this for me, at the open I only did 74 in 7 minutes.